Communicating with Compassion

How to Communicate in Ways that Ease the Pain and Lift the Spirit

In this inspiring, best-selling video Karen Fox and her team show how to treat the sick, injured, and dying with compassion. They demonstrate the four things that must happen in conversation for a person who is suffering to experience compassion. These are the fundamental skills needed to build a bridge to the other person’s world, to get compassion across, in such a way that he or she now realizes that you care. Karen and her team vividly demonstrate, with beauty and humor, and in real life situations, how anyone can learn to empower, encourage, bring hope, and lift the spirit.

“As I reflect on the widespread need in our frantic, fractured society for people with a healing touch, I cherish a fervent hope that this resource will become available to the countless people who could use it to learn how to enhance their caring attitudes and skills.”

“Communicating with Compassion develops the skills of supportive presence needed by lay volunteer and clergy alike. It is a complete package, educationally sound and stimulating to use. This one is a keeper!”

Rev. Faye Hogan, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Ventura

“Your video touches both the head and the heart. It flows and the teaching points are made so naturally. I cried at several places. Thank you for an effective and beautiful video.”

“The best educational resource I have ever seen for teaching compassion. It’s inspiring, and shows exactly how to give the psychosocial support that patients need. Everyone in the health professions should see this video.”

“An artistic and uplifting video that gives us the tools to enhance the lives of those who are suffering, from whatever cause.”

Robert A. Reid, M.D., PresidentCalifornia Medical Association

“I was impressed by how the film spoke to such a wide variety of people. Students and nurses aids easily understand the material, yet medical doctors also find it valuable.”

Dr. Richard Brand, Assistant DeanWashington University School of Medicine

“Anyone who wants to increase their ability to communicate with compassion, empathy and caring, will benefit from this video. Communicating with Compassion is a special blend of practical know-how and sensitivity to the unique needs of individuals who are ill. It is a “must see” for all health care providers.”

Judith G. Berg, R.N., Senior Vice President,
Cottage Health System

“Communicating with Compassion is by far the best teaching tool I could use in the area of listening and communication skills. Thank you for your great effort to teach us all that compassion is the key element to a healing encounter.”

“A genuinely touching piece of work – it goes right to the heart. I have all staff view it on a regular basis and prn in times of stress or despair. This video is a powerful reminder of the human component in patient care.”

“All of the volunteers, nurses, administrators, and chaplains I have shown your video to, found it very valuable. It is now a part of the annual orientation for all of my volunteers. And the Leader Guide is gold — it gave me everything I needed to lead a first-class learning session.”

Sandi Knowles, Director of Volunteers, Twin Cities Community Hospital

“I have been very touched by the compassion and humanity conveyed by your video. It is appropriate for anyone who works with schools, churches, health agencies, youth groups or families.”

How do we teach compassion?

According to Karen and Simon Fox, the best way to teach compassion is not to instruct but to inspire through real-life examples. The Adventures in Caring volunteers have learned their skills by serving others, and the camera follows them into real situations, real challenges, and real emotions.

The video shows how compassion forms a bridge between the two very different worlds: the world of the healthy volunteer and the anxious, uncertain world of someone who is suffering.

96-page Leader Guide with class formats for a 90-minute session or a 3-hour workshop. Includes discussion questions, class exercises, and video index with teaching points for each scene, plus expert facilitator tips on how to get the most out of your group dialogue.

Handouts for your audienceare formatted for easy copying. Three pages with definitions and summaries of the four core principles demonstrated in the video.

“I applaud your efforts to teach volunteers how to interact with people who are suffering… I did view the video and the program is obviously a labor of love on your part… I am sharing your work with my staff, especially those involved in finding ways for young people to serve their community and fellow citizens.”.